nd my money, and perhaps in a fashion to
enjoy it, but I should no longer feel happy when my brave father's name
was mentioned, nor should I feel happy when I looked into the eyes of my
real mother."

"Go on, Maurice; this is very quixotic, very extraordinary, and, let me
add, very fatiguing," said Mrs. Aylmer. "I make you the best offer I
have ever made to anybody, and even you, my dear boy, must recognise
limits in our intercourse."

"I ought not to be your heir," he said; "I will come to the point at
once. You ought not to leave your money to me; it is not just nor
right."

"And pray may I not leave my money to whom I please?"

"You ought not to leave it to me; you ought to leave it to Miss Aylmer."

"Miss Aylmer! What Miss Aylmer?"

"Her name is Florence. I met her in London. I met her also at Dawlish.
She is very poor. She is a brave girl, independent, with courage and
ability. She is about to make a striking success in the world of
literature; but she is poor--poor almost to the point of starvation. Why
should she be so struggling, and why should I, who am no relative of
yours, inherit all this wealth? It won't do, Mrs. Aylmer; and, what is
more, I won't have it."

Mrs. Aylmer was so absolutely astonished that she did not speak at all
for a moment.

"You are mad," she said then slowly.

"No, I am not mad: I am sane. I shall be very glad to receive a little
help from you. I shall be your devoted son in all but name, but I do not
want your money: I mean I don't want any longer to be your heir. Give
your wealth to Florence Aylmer, and forget that you have made this
suggestion to me. Believe me, you will be happy if you do so."

"Are you in love with this girl?" said Mrs. Aylmer slowly.

"You have no right to ask the question; but I will answer it. I do not
think I am in love with her. I believe I am actuated by a sense of
justice. I want you to do justice to this girl, and I want to give you
in return my undying gratitude and undying respect."

"Indeed; what valuable possessions! Now, my dear Maurice, you have just
gone a step too far. As you have spoken of Florence Aylmer, I will tell
you something about her. There was a time when I intended to leave her
my money. I intended to adopt her, to educate her, to bring her out as
my niece and heiress. She herself by her own unworthy conduct prevented
my doing so. She acted in a most dishonourable way. I will not tell you
what she did, but if you wish to kno